Ship Simulators

A ship simulator is an advanced training device; an electronic or mechanical system used to expose vessel operators and crew members to typical shipboard conditions and systems. Simulation training is not a substitute for the experience of training on an actual vessel, but is used as a preliminary method to thoroughly familiarize students with equipment, procedures, and processes. Simulation also is useful for review and for demonstrating updates and modifications to existing craft.

Imtech Marine & Offshore and VSTEP announced their cooperation to deliver new maritime training simulators. The partnership combines Imtech’s worldwide experience in maritime systems and VSTEP’s innovative 3D simulation technology to introduce a new range of maritime simulators which are affordable, maintainable and adaptable for both the profit and non-profit market.

Northeast Maritime Institute (NMI) has announced plans to hold a competition that will identify the world’s most skilled ship handlers. The competition, to be held June 5 to June 7, 2009 in Fairhaven, Mass. will offer a total of $50,000 in prizes to the top three contestants.

The International Shiphandling Championship will challenge contestants to demonstrate their skills in handling four different vessel types ranging in size from modern tugs to large containerships

Transas Marine, Hamburg (Germany), has been awarded the contract for two simulation systems that will be delivered and installed onboard two ships operated and owned by shipping company Intership Navigation Co. Ltd. (ISN).

The K Class Capesize Bulk Carriers MV Lancelot and MV Percival with a capacity of 178.000 dwt each are currently being built at New Times Shipyard in Jing Jiang, China. The vessels are most energy efficient and equipped with unique propulsion aids

Northstar Network Ltd. announced that it has been awarded another add-on to the multi million contract awarded by L-3 MAPPS Inc. in March 2009 to build consoles for land-based trainers for the Halifax Class of ships. The original contract to manufacture 66 Standard Marine Consoles and 60 Local Operating Panels as part of its Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) was broadened in August 2009 to include the design and manufacture of the land-based training simulators for the East Coast

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Center for Maritime Training, Research and Development will host the 2009 International Conference on Marine Simulation and Ship Maneuverability (MARSIM) August 17-20. For the first time, MARSIM will be held in Panama City, Panama, where maritime industry leaders, academics and researchers will come together from across the globe to share the latest developments in marine simulation, safety and ship maneuverability

STC-Group has signed a contract with simulation developer Kongsberg Maritime to supply extensive upgrades to its large suite of simulators. The contract consists of sophisticated extensions and upgrades to the group's Kongsberg Maritime full mission and part task ship's bridge simulators and its full mission engine room simulator. A complete upgrade of the group's classroom set of 15 desktop cargo handling simulators and 15 desktop engine room simulators including instructor stations for both classrooms is also included in the delivery, in addition to new ship and engine models for the different simulators.

At the Marghera shipyard in Venice, Fincantieri delivered Costa Cruises' newest flagship, the Costa Favolosa: the largest cruise ship flying the Italian flag. About 3,000 employees and 7,000 workers from linked industries contributed to the construction of the ship. Most of the companies involved in the shipbuilding activities, about 500, are Italian. The total cost of the investment in the new building undertaken by Costa Cruises is worth approximately 510 million euros (over $737 million).

On Jan. 2, BMT SeaTech Ltd, provider of maritime products and consulting services, and a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, announced the successful installation of its PC Rembrandt ship simulation system at the headquarters of the Kiel Canal Pilots Association in Brunsbuttel, Northern Germany.

Current training of Kiel Canal’s 123 pilots takes place at the full bridge simulator of the Maritime Academy of Bremen. However, with up to 140 vessel movements a day and growing, it is becoming increasingly difficult for pilots to be removed from the associations watch rotation plan. As a result, a more flexible option was sought and BMT SeaTech was approached to supply a PC Rembrandt solution.

General HydroStatics (GHS) and its derivative, GHS Load Monitor (GLM), are both used by fleet operators. These software programs are designed to be configured by users to match their own reporting requirements while meeting the everyday needs of each vessel with minimal ongoing effort.

Trident Seafoods uses GLM to manage its fleet and to aid the deck and engineering officers in load monitoring to prevent overloading and meet regulatory requirements. With this vertical business from fishing to processing, to marketing, Tom Ford, Fleet Superintendent at Trident, reports that GLM has saved the company from loss of cargo and crew by helping them managing their fishing loads in real time

The bridge simulators are intended for training in watch keeping and operations with ECDIS: radar/ARPA operations, familiarization with all the details of electronic chart operation, including route planning and monitoring and the principles of displaying various types of information. An instructor station and a debriefing facility provide the instructor with all necessary tools for efficient preparation, editing, conducting, monitoring, playback and assessing the exercise.